The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has launched an aggressive road safety campaign, “STOP ROAD ACCIDENT!,” aimed at reducing road accidents by 35 percent by 2028.
LTO chief assistant secretary Vigor Mendoza II said the campaign will focus on information dissemination and strict enforcement of traffic laws in collaboration with local government units and other government agencies.
“Every road accident, especially those resulting in deaths and serious injuries, should not be taken lightly,” Mendoza said. “Road accidents have a significant impact on families, particularly when the victims are breadwinners.”
According to the World Health Organization, around 1.3 million people die annually in road accidents worldwide, while 20 million to 50 million are injured.
The United Nations reported that 58 percent of these fatalities occur in the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, where an average of 32 people die daily in road accidents.
Mendoza stressed the importance of utilizing social media to reach a wider audience. The LTO will also coordinate with local government units and law enforcement agencies, such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police, to strengthen enforcement efforts.
The campaign aligns with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista’s advocacy for road safety. Last year, Bautista presented the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan, which includes the goal of reducing road accident deaths by 35 percent by 2028 and 50 percent by 2033.
Mendoza highlighted the need for a whole-of-government approach to road safety, including infrastructure improvements. The DoTr has already implemented initiatives such as the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, EDSA Busway, EDSA Greenways and Active Transport to promote road safety.